S.O.A.P.

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July 7, 2018

Scripture- Exodus 11:4-5- Moses had announced to Pharaoh, “This is what the Lord says: At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest servant girl who grinds the flour. Even the firstborn of all the livestock will die.

Observations- Pharaoh has witnessed the power of the Lord. He and his people have experienced significant consequences for not releasing the Hebrews from captivity to freedom, but even in light of what Moses announces would come next, Pharaoh still refused to let God's people go.

Application- It's painful to watch how profoundly stubborn Pharaoh was about the release we all know is coming for the Hebrew people. The consequences were so unnecessary, but he refused to heed the warning. We aren't so different. Dr. Henry Cloud says, "We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us pain that motivates us to change.” How has pain motivated you to change?

Prayer- Lord, I am grateful for Your patience with me and Your all too flawed Body of Christ. Even in the light of painful consequences, we are stubborn like Pharaoh and slow to change our attitudes and behaviors. Help us move forward today in ways that are healthy, life giving, and point others to Jesus. Amen.

"So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas." (Psalm 81:12),